"Folder Size" and "File Size" differece in .pst file

[Ben Smith]

I have a .PST file that shows approximately 700MB in the "Folder Size"
through Outlook 2k3. However, the actual file size is over 1.5GB. Anyone
know why there would be such a difference? My other pst's are pretty close
in file size and folder size.

Thanks.

Ben

 

[Brian Tillman]

I have a .PST file that shows approximately 700MB in the "Folder Size"
through Outlook 2k3. However, the actual file size is over 1.5GB.
Anyone know why there would be such a difference? My other pst's are
pretty close in file size and folder size.

Compact your PST and check again. When you delete messages from a PST, the
space the items occupied is not returned to the file system right away (if
ever), but remains in the PST so that Outlook doesn't have to request
additional allocation from the file system.